Odisha GI Authorised User Camp By NHDC

Each year, on August 1st, we celebrate Sambalpuri Din and wear Sambalpuri Bandha, an iconic weave of Odisha that has the Geographical Indication (GI) tag and is also recognized by UNESCO.

The 13th Sambapuri Din i.e. Sambalpuri Day is being celebrated today.

It was a great honour to attend and address the GI Camp with Sambalpuri Bandha weavers three days ago, thanks to the National Handloom Development Corporation (NHDC).

Even shared about Sambalpuri Din in my presentation!

My Sambalpuri Bandha Saree and Top's cloth - both bought by my late mother.

She is no more, but her love and gifts are timeless.

My Saree: It is 25+ years old!

My Top: It is 30+ years old!

But, look at these Sambalpuri Bandha now and they look as good as new!

This is the beauty of our "Sambalpuri Bandha".

"Sambalpuri Bandha" is a type of "Orissa Ikat".

"Khandua" is the other type of "Orissa Ikat."

Out of the 26 GIs of Odisha, Odisha has 9 GI handlooms.

Most weavers, who attended the camp, had not even heard the names of the other GI handlooms, including Khandua!

They hardly know about our Odisha's rich history and culture.

Was happy to see many weavers wearing their Sambalpuri creations.

It was great that NHDC organised the first GI Authorised User Camp in Odisha in Bargarh, Odisha, and gave us an opportunity to connect and share.

Happy to see their participation and interest.

The first Geographical Indication (GI) Authorised User (AU) Camp by NHDC was at Sohela Block, Jampali, Bargarh, Odisha, on 29 July, 2025.

"Orissa Ikat" GI handloom of Odisha was chosen. Many weavers in Bargarh employ the ancient "Bandha Kala" technique, being passed on for generations by their forefathers.

The objective of the camp was to identify the weavers undertaking the GI work, collect their details and facilitate the filing of the GI Authorised User application i.e. for Part-B Certificate.

The guests for the GI Authorised User Camp were:

1. Dr. Anita Sabat- Odisha GI Consultant

2. Sri Brijesh Kumar Awasthi- Director, IIHT

3. Sri SR Singh- DDT, Bargarh

4. Sri Hrushikesh Mahali- Deputy Director-in-charge, DDT, Bargarh

NHDC Bhubaneswar officials- Manager, Sri Ratanlal Mahalik, and Assistant Manager, Sri Maheswar Guin were also present along with several weavers, and representatives of nearby cooperative societies, and weavers' service centres. There were 230 attendees, including 204 weavers. The GI AU application forms and documents have been collected and will be sent to the GI Registry office in Chennai for further processing.

All the speakers shared about the need for proper GI representation and promotion. Many weavers expressed their concerns about the growing number of fake products like prints and duplicates in the markets that are sold as handlooms.

Weavers also shared some other issues regarding quality and standards, and shared suggestions and requirements e,g. they want training camps to be organised so that they can learn the tie-and-dye process and produce handlooms from start to end. That will enable them to sell and earn the full amount of the saree instead of the part payment for weaving that is provided by the "Mahajan".

Got a chance to share regarding the GI application process and the need to maintain authenticity. Patterns must not be copied from the GI handlooms of other states, as then "Orissa Ikat" and "Sambalpuri Bandha" lose their originality and identity.

Requested all to buy, wear, use, gift, and promote GI handlooms. During weddings, events, festivals etc, all must choose our handlooms.

Also spoke to stakeholders and secretaries of societies.

Weavers appreciated my presentation.

They highly praised the State and National award-winning "GI Heritage of Odisha" - "Sambalpuri Bandha" and "Orissa Ikat" GI Saree. It had won the National Handloom Award last year & another variant had won the Odisha State Handloom Award in 2023 for weaver- Sri Rasananda Meher.

The graph, technical guidance, and facilitation for this Saree was by handloomdesigner- Sri Prafulla Meher, while the idea and GI concept along with Odisha GI information was provided by researcher and consultant, Dr. Anita Sabat.

NHDC also exhibited their recently developed Sambalpuri designs- sarees and dupattas where both sides have different colours! It shows the skillful weaving of our weavers.

This GIAU Camp initiative by NHDC is on the occasion of the 11th National Handloom Day 2025 that is celebrated on August 7th each year starting 2015.

Apart from Odisha, NHDC has also completed GIAU camps for six different GI products of one union territory and four different states on a PAN-India basis, namely:

1. Meghalaya- Meghalaya Khasi Handloom products & Meghalaya Ryndia Textile

2. Ladakh (UT)- Pashmina wool

3. Himachal Pradesh- Kinnauri Shawl

4. Bihar- Bhagalpur Silk

5. Maharashtra- Paithani Saree & Fabrics

Thanks to such efforts by organisations like NHDC, more weavers are being added as "authorised users" to the GI Registry.

Sambalpuri Din i.e. Sambalpuri Day was first started in 2013 by Social worker & reporter, Sri Bhawanish Bhoi. It is being observed worldwide now.

Thanks to such initiatives like Sambalpuri din and National Handloom Day by private, public and government individuals and organisations, more people are definitely more aware.

However, there is scope for much more, as many are yet to know the names and even to identify handlooms.

More sessions and camps can reach and touch many more weavers and public.

Local, traditional and GI handlooms are our heritage and our pride.